The nation is fuming right now following the release of the body camera footage related to the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey, a Black Illinois woman, by Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson. As the outrage spreads and the calls for justice increase, let’s pause to learn more about who this woman was before she became another hashtag.
Massey, 36, was a dedicated mother of two and beloved cousin, sister and friend. She was born Feb. 12, 1988 in San Diego to parents Donna Massey and James Wilburn, according to her obituary. Wilburn said she was one of four siblings, all girls. Her youngest sister, Breeanna Toles, remembered her as the “middle man” between the girls.
“As baby sister, I look back at our text messages. She’d say, ‘I love you, baby sister.’ I hold onto those memories. I wish all of my sisters could be in the room today,” Toles said in the service.
She also shared a heartbreaking remark that she didn’t think the next time she’d be reunited with her sister would be for an occasion to say her goodbyes.
Massey was mother to a son, Malachi, and a daughter, Jeanette. Toles said Massey’s children meant the whole world to her.
“She was loving, caring. She was just a ball of energy. She could talk to anybody. She was a lovable person. She always helped people,” said her son, Malachi, in a press conference. In response to the question of how he’s feeling after his mother’s death, he said he didn’t know but was doing okay for the most part.
Massey was also remembered for enjoying doing hair as well as being a great cook and a bit adventurous.
“I’ve been a vegetarian for 25 and I still miss her shredded chicken nachos,” said Massey’s first cousin during the funeral service.
She also cited a comical story of Massey being so determined to find a turkey leg during an outing that at some point, she randomly reappeared with one in hand. “I still to this day don’t know how she got that plate,” she said as the congregation erupted in laughter.
Massey was a devout Christian. A resolution from her church recognized Massey as devoted to a life in Christ which was “exemplified through her dedication to her family, friends and community.”
“There’s no doubt in my mind that my baby is resting in the arms of Jesus right now. My baby got tired of living in temporary housing. There’s a home that she had that’s not made by man’s hands. There’s some streets that are made of gold,” said Wilburn at the funeral.
“I have eulogized a few people - and I told them to look to hills from which cometh their help. I’m looking to the hills right now from which cometh my help.”
Massey died July 6 after being fatally shot by after calling 911 for help with a possible intruder. Grayson was fired from the department and charged with first-degree murder along with other charges, per ABC.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump expressed plans to “exploit every possible legal remedy” to get justice for Massey and her family, per a press conference.